Tractor



Nav. 2K1,v 1944. Y

H. s. EBERHARD `2,363,052

T;zAcToR Filed Dec. 2,' '1940 sheets-sheet 2 i INVENTOR.

I BY #Akne/v5 EEE/MAR@ ATTORNEY.

Nov. 21,1944.` -H. SEERH/RD 2,363,052

I TRACTOR' l Filed Dec.v 2, 1940 s sheets-sheet :s

ATTORNEY.

6 Sheets-sheet 5 f TRACTOR l INVENTOR. 1 biamo/vi EBERHARD BY H. s. EBL-:RI-mm4 Filed nec. '2, 1940 Nov. 2l, 1944.

ATTORNEY.

yNoynZl', 1944. H;`s. EBERHARD y 2,363,053?!| TRACTOR n Filed Dec. 2, 1949 e sheets-sheet e INVENTOR. H QI N se #Afr/va 5. Ese/wena WM if/3,2,

ATTORNEY,

Patented Nov. 21,.'1944l TRACTOR Harmon S. Eberhard, Peoria, lill.,A assignor to Caterpillar Tractor Co., San Leandro, Calif., a corporation of California Application Decembery 2, 1940, Serial No. 368,234`

(Cl. 18o-54) 11 Claims.

My invention relates to tractors; and more particularly to a tractor frame construction adapted especially for heavy duty track-type tractors.

A common form of commercial frame construction for a track-type tractor comprises a unitary 4drive containing and transmission case formed as anintegral casting adapted to house transmission gearing and the usual steering clutch mechanism as well as portions` of the driving mechanism, and to the front of which is rigidly bolted an engine crankcase upon which the engine of the tractor is mounted. Thus, the main frame or body of the machine. comprises a Aunitary rigid structure which includes the. engine and its crankcase. Another common form of commercial track-type tractor frame construe-- tion comprises such unitary drive containing and transmission case having side frame members bolted thereto. To provide the necessary strength, a large heavy casting is necessary for the drive containing and transmission case. Also in the `construction where the engine crankcase forms part of the main frame or body, such crankcase must be heavier than otherwise desirable, thereby increasing the cost of the engine. Furthermore, a casting does not provide a structure of the greatest strength as cast iron is quite brittle and subject to breakage upon striking of objects, which occurs during operation of a tractor. In addition, cast iron' undergoes metal strain when it i s subjectedto wide variations in temperature, as frequently occurs in extremely hot or cold climates in which tractors are called upon to' operate. Such strain frequently results in undesirable cracking of the frame castings.

My invention is designed to overcome the above described difficulties, and has as its objects among others, the provision of an improved tractor frame construction which is comparatively light but of increased strength compared to the previenable lightness of construction and also flexibility in'the type of transmission which may be employed should it be desired to change such transmission. Other objects of my invention will become apparent from a perusal of the following. description thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of the tractor frame of my invention; portions of the tractor being shown schematically to illustrate the environment in which the frame is employed, and certain portions of the structure being shown in phantom lines to illustrate their location with respect to the frame. f

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the frame construction; portions 'of the tractor mechanism associated with the frame being shown in phantom lines to illustrate their relationship with respect to the frame. y

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional elevation taken in a plane indicated byline 3 3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section taken in planes indicated byv line 4--4 in Fig. 2; portions of the tractor mechanism associated with the frame being shown in phantom lines to illustrate their relationship with respect to the frame.

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional elevation taken in planes indicated by line 5 5 in Fig. 2; portions of the tractor mechanism associated with the frame being shown in phantom lines to illustrate their relationship with respect `to the frame.

Fig. 6- is a vertical longitudinal section taken 1n i a plane indicated by line E-Ii in Fig. 5; portions of the tractor mechanism associated with the frame being shown in phantom lines to illustrate their relationship with respect to the frame.

Fig.` 'l is a horizontal sectional elevation taken in planes indicated by line 1--1 in Fig. 6; portions of the tractor mechanism associated With the frame being shown in phantom lines to illusl trate their relationship with respect to the frame.

Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinal section taken in a plane'indicated by line 8-8 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section taken in a I plane indicated by line 9-9 in Fig. 6.

Although the vehicle frame construction of my?.4

invention is applicable to any type of tractor o 'r' similar vehicle, it is particularly adapted for relatively large size heavy duty track-type tractors intended for work such as logging, bulldozing or hauling large capacity Scrapers, because of its great strength, and lightness which enables max imum drawbar power to be developed by the tractor'engine. Such track-type tractor comprises engine 2, operators station 3 and an endless track mechanism 4 =at each side of the tractor by which the tractor is propelled along the ground. As is usual in track-type tractors, the

endless trackmechanisms are hingedly pivotally integral unit.

connectedto the tractor frame, adjacent their rear ends, for relative oscillatory movement; and the front of the tractor frame `is supported on such endless track mechanisms by means of suitable equalizer mechanism (not shown).

The main tractor frame or body 6 of my invention, upon which engine 2 and operators station 3 are mountedv and to which the endless track mechanisms 4 are hingedly connected, is composed essentially of two main parts. One of these parts comprises a rear case 1 adapted to contain drive mechanism and steering clutch mechanism, and which is formed essentially of a plurality of sheet steel plates welded together into a unitary rigid structure to provide lightness and great strength. The other part comprises spaced side members 8 rigidly secured by welding to the front of rear case 1. Such side frame members -8 are adapted to have secured thereto adjacent their front ends, by bolts 8',

assembly of parts Within the case. A' rear plate 36 having strengthening ribs 31 welded thereto. is welded to the top plate 33,.and is provided with a central inspection hole 38, which also permits passage therethrough of a rear power take-off shaft.- An inspection hole 38 is provided at each a cross member II providing a front support for engine 2; and .approximately at the middle vtherejof, they are adapted to have secured thereto, .by

`suitable relatively shiftable change speed gearing is conveniently associated with such frame 6; so that it may be secured or replaced as an For this purpose, transmission case` l4 is provided with rear flange I6 adapted to be detachably secured by means such `as studs or cap screws I1 to the front of rear 'case 1.

The front of transmission case I4 is adapted for detachable mounting, by means such as studs or cap screws I8, to a cross member I8 adapted to be secured by bolts 2| on front side members 8. A drive is transmitted from engine 2 to the transmission through a detachable coupling 22; and

lthe drive from-the transmission is transmitted to 'the tractor propelling mechanism, by a bevel pinion 23 adapted to mesh with a bevel driving -gear 24 Journalled in case 1. By the described mounting of transmission I4, it is apparent that the transmission may be assembled or disconnected with ease, which is an important feature 0i' my invention, as this enablesv flexibility in the vtype of transmissionthat may be employed,l

withinv pad 21'to allow for passage therethrough of a power take-oil' shaft 3l from transmission I4: and a third relatively small aperture 32 is providedin front plate 25 within pad 21, which is adapted to comm nicate with a pipe 32. Such pipe is secured to t einner side of plate 25 to receivev lubricantfrom transmission case I4 and at the same time preclude escape of lubricant from rear case 1 into transmission case I4 when the tractor happens to` be working' on steep inclines. In this connection, lubricant for mechanism within case 1 is supplied through pipe 32' from transmission case I4; and hence, lubricant need only be added into the transmission case.

Welded to' frbnt plate' 25 is a top plate 33 which has a plurality of relatively large apertures 34 to provide plenty of room for access to the interior of the case for purposes of repair and' side of hole 38 to enable inspection, and also accessibility to the interior of the case from the rear thereof for purposes of 'replacement or repair of parts within the case. of apertures is formed adjacent each inspection hole 39 to provide means for attachment of a pad 4| whichA forms a mounting for brake operating structure adapted for mounting within the case.

A bottom plate structure 4 2`is welded to .front plate 25 and to rear plate 36. Such plate structure comprises a central plate 43 and a pair of end plates 44 welded to central plate 43. The central plate 43 is formed with spaced upwardly inclined rear portions 45. Each end vplateI 44 comprises a rear portion 46 which is below a relatively triangularly shaped front portion 41 projecting in front of front plate 25 and which is joined to rear portion 46 by an upwardly slanting portion 48. Thus pockets 48 are formed underneath upwardlyl inclined portions45l of centralplate 43, adjacent rear portions 46 of end plates 44, for accommodation of means which forms part of the mechanism for hingedly connecting the endless track mechanismsto case 1. The interior of the case is sealed adjacent such pockets by means to' be subsequently'described.

Between end plates 44 and welded to central plate 43 of the bottom plate structure 42 is a bracket structure 5| formed of a plurality of plates welded together and a pair of shaft anchoring sleeves 52 welded together and to such plates. The front face 53 of such bracket strucl ture 5I provides a pad for attachment of front drawbar supporting. structure 54 thereto. Pivotally connected to such drawbar supporting structure is a drawbar 56 extending rearwardly and -swingable in rear drawbarv supporting structure 51 secured to rear plate 36 ofthe case. Shaft.-

anchoring sleeves 52 provide a mounting for a pair of dead shafts 58 each of which extends laterally through a sleeve 58 welded inside of case 1 to each rear portion 46 of -each bottomend plate 44. Above and around each sleeve 58 and welded thereto, is a plate 68 in turn welded to an adjacent' upwardly inclined rear portion 45-of bottom central plate 43 to seal the outer side ofA each pocket 48'. Shafts 58.are adapted to extend beyond the sides. of the .frame to provide hinge connections thereof, with truck framesof the endless track mechanisms, in the manner illustrated in my Patent No. 2,049,643, dated' August 4, 1936. In this connection diagonal braces 6I forming part of the truck frames are adapted to be pivotally connected on shafts 58 within the pockets 48.

A side plate 62 is welded to the front, bottom, top, and rear plates .at each side of case 1, andincludes a front portion 63 which extends forwardly beyond front plate 25, and is .welded-to the triangularly shaped front portion 41 of bot-- tom plate structure '42. At its upper edge, side plate portion 63 is welded to a triangularly shaped upper plate 64, which extends forwardly beyond front plate 25. and is. also welded to such front plate 25. Thus bottom plate structure portion 41, front portio'n63 vof side-plate 62, and plate 64 form a socket 66 adjacent veach front side of case 1 to receive a sidel frame member 8; and such Also, a plurality sideframe members 8 are rigidly welded within sockets 66 to provide a v ery strong construction.

In tractors of the type described, the nal` drive is transmitted to the endless track mechanisms through final drive gearing. For housing such final drive gearing, an annular flange structure 61 is welded to each side plate 82, and is adapted to have detachably secured thereto a cover 68 to cooperate therewith in .housing nal drive gearing. In this connection, each side plate B2 is provided with apertures to allow passage therethrough of shafts 69 for such iinal drive gearing; and a bearing supporting plate 1l is welded to` each side plate 82 for such shafts 68. Also, an outside peripherally ilanged sleeve 'l2 in which an associated shaft 58 is also supported and which provides a journal for final drive mechanism, is welded to each side plate 82 and to an adjacent sleeve 58.

The interior of case l is divided. by a pair of spaced vertical longitudinally extending partition plates 85, into a central so-called wet compartment 86 which 'houses the driving bevel gear 24 and is adapted to contain lubricant for such gear, and a pair of outer so-called dry steering clutch and brake compartments 81 adapted to house steering clutch and brake structures 88. These plates 85are Welded to the outside plates forming the case and are crimped to form reenforcing ribs 89. Also, such plates serve to seal the inner sides of the previously described pockets 49; and bearing supports 98 for shafting for bevel gear 24 are welded to plates 85. By virtue of the described arrangement, partition plates 85 not Vonlyform the described compartments but also serve to re-enforce the entire structure.

To isolate the left-hand dry compartment 81 from wet compartment 86 adjacent bevel pinion which readily adapts itself for detachable mounting of a unitary transmission case inthe manner described, thus making 'for' great flexibility in the type of transmission that may be employed. Within the case, the partition plates not only segregate it intothe desired compartments but also serve to re-enforce the entire structure; and such case is sulciently strong to enable the trucks of the Vendless track mechanism to be hingedly connected thereto and to permit the tractor drawbar` mechanism to be attached directly thereto.' A

I claim:

l.- A 'tractor frame construction comprising a load-supporting case adapted to contain driving gearing for said tractor and which is formed essentially of sheet metal welded together, said case having at the front and adjacent .each side thereof a socket structure, and a side member extendingvfrom and welded to said case within each socket structure.

2. A tractor main frame construction comprising a load supporting case adapted to contain driving gearing for said tractor and having an external socket, and a framemember rigidly secured within said socket and lextending from said case.

3. A tractor main frame construction comprising a load supporting case adapted to contain driving gearing for said tractor and having rigid therewith a plurality of plates forming a socket; and an engine supporting frame mem- 28, a guard 9| is welded to the structure about such pinion 23. Suitable bosses and pads are provided Within the case in the various compartments to form bearings or supports for various brake and steering clutch operating mechanisms. For this purpose, bosses 92 are welded to partition plates 85 to provide. support for steering clutch control mechanism 93. Also, bearings 8l are -welded invcompartments 81 for the purpose of additionally supporting such steering clutch control mechanism 93. Each compartment 81 has welded therein an arcuate member 88 which forms part of supporting means for brake adjusting mechanism. Bearings 91 are also welded in side plates 82 adjacent the front thereof andl in the walls of front plate 25 adjacent central depression 26 thereof, for brake operating shafting 98.

Each side frame member 8 is also composed of metal welded together. A strong construction is provided by welding of an outer side plate IM of sheet steel to a pair of angle irons |02.

From the preceding description, it is seen that i the frame structure of my invention is composed essentially of two main parts, one of such parts being a case for housing a driving bevel gear and the steering clutch mechanism for the tractor, andwhich is built up entirely of sheet metal, preferably sheet steel, welded together vinto a unitary rigid structure which is comparagtively light and yet has great strength. The

other essential part of such frame comprises tbe side members which extend forwardly from adjacent the front end of the case and are welded thereto in a socket structure making for great strength. Such arrangement of the case and the side frame members provides a structure ber welded within -said socket and extending from said case. .K

4. In a tractor frame construction comprising a case formed essentially of sheet metal welded together and engine supporting side'members extending forwardly from and welded adjacent a front wall of said case: av transmisison unit including a case of cast iron detachably supported by said front wall ofv said first mentioned case,

and means also detachably supporting saidtransmission case on said side members.-

5. A tractor frame construction comprising a load supporting case formed essentially of sheet metal welded together and adapted to contain driving and steering clutch mechanism, the case having means for connection of ground engaging means thereon, means for supporting a dee7 tachably mounted transmission unit by lsaid case exteriorly thereof between and in laterally spaced relationship with respect to veach of a pair of spaced side frame members rigidly secured to Aand extending forwardly from said case, and means on said case for supporting a tractor 'drawban 6. A tractor main frame construction consist- Af ing'essentially of spaced side frame members,

and a load supporting case adapted to 4contain driving gearing for said tractor and' having adjacent each side thereof a rigid socket structure, sai'd frame members extending from said case and having ends rigidly secured within such socket structures.

7. A tractor main lframe construction consist-4 sists essentially Aof a load supporting case, and spaced engine supporting side frame members extending forwardly from and secured adjacent a front wall of said case; a transmission unit including a transmission case posltioned'between said side members and of less width than the space between said side members whereby a space is fleft between each side of said transmission case ,and the adjacent side member, said transmission case being detachably supported at one end thereof by said front wall of said load supporting case, and a cross member ycarried by said side members upon which the opposite end of said transmission case is detachably carried.

, 9.A tractor having a frame construction which consists essentially of a, load supporting case and spaced side frame members extending case formed essentially of a plurality of sheet metal plates welded together and spaced side i frame members extending forwardly fromand forwardly from and secured adjacent a vfront I said load supporting case. HARM rigidly secured adjacent a front wall-of said case, a transmission unit including a transmission case of cast iron positioned between said side members and of less width than the space between said side members, and means detachably securing an end of said transmission case on the front wall of said load supporting case.

11. A tractor having a frame construction which consistsessentially of spaced side frame members and a load supporting case having rigidly secured thereto and extending forwardly therefrom adjacent each side thereof a rigid side frame member attaching structure, said side frame members being rigidly connected to said structures, a transmission unit including a trans.

mission case positioned between said `structures and said side members and of less width than the space between said structures and said side frame members whereby a space is left between each side of said transmission case and the adjacent structure and side frame member connected` thereto, and means detachably securing an end of said transmission case on the front wall of oN s. EBERHAnD. 

